page_title: June Lake, California
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: June Lake, California / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Horsetail Falls
context_page_description: June Lake is a census-designated place in Mono County, California. It is located against the southern rim of the Mono Basin, 12.5 miles south of Lee Vining, at an elevation of 7654 feet.
  The majority of the developed community is spread narrowly along a five-mile stretch of California State Route 158, which is also known as the June Lake Loop Road, or in the populated areas, Boulder Drive. The Mono County Community Development Department defines June Lake's planning area to encompass the entire June Lake Loop, including the section of U.S. Route 395 between the north and south junctions of the Loop Road.
  The population was 629 at the 2010 census. In the Summer that can grow by 2500 visitors: fishermen, campers, tourists, backpackers, and other outdoors enthusiasts. The ZIP Code is 93529.
context_section_description: The June Lake Loop has attracted fishermen, hunters, and hikers since the late 19th century. Its first inhabitants were the Paiute Indians of the Mono Basin.  Although there was abundant mining activity in adjacent areas, the prospectors of the late 19th century found little of interest here. The area remained roadless, and was recognized only for its scenic and recreational value.  During the decline of the mining era, interest developed in the new technology of Hydroelectric Energy.  
  By 1915 a roadway was constructed up Rush Creek to just past Silver Lake, and a rail tramway system was moved from a defunct mine at nearby Bodie into the steep and rugged mountains above for the construction of two dams to provide Hydroelectric Power. The Rush Creek Hydroelectric Project was a significant step in the development of Hydroelectric Power in the State of California, and the Rush Creek Power House began producing electricity for distant cities in 1916.
  The initial construction project continued through 1917, and during this time an employee named Roy Carson started the Loop's first private resort, known as Carson's Camp. The resort was a tent camp until 1920 when the first cabin was completed. A year later, after the completion of the first cabin another two cabins were erected in 1921. The new, larger cabin contained a dining room and a small area for a post office. This cabin is still in use as a store and restaurant for the historic Silver Lake Resort.  Circa 1924 the U.S. Forest Service constructed another unpaved roadway from a point along U.S. Highway 395 to June Lake. Eventually Power Station employees and fishermen continued the road to connect with the road in the Silver Lake area. The road from the June Lake Junction made June Lake automobile accessible and made development in that area possible. Housing tracts were formed in between June and Gull Lakes and also near Fern Creek and Silver Lake. Boulder Lodge, on the shore of June Lake, was the second resort to be built in the June Lake Loop.  In 1927 the Ed J. Seymour Company announced the construction of June Lake Lodge, (now a timeshare hotel known as the Heidelberg Inn) on the hillside overlooking June and Gull Lakes.  The Lodge was to be operated in conjunction with a fish hatchery and fox farm, and included fifty rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a large four-sided fireplace in the lobby.  June Lake Lodge opened in May 1928, and the hatchery produced an average of 1,000,000 small fish every year, distributed to the surrounding area's lakes and creeks.  The fox farm was located near what is now the Pine Cliff area.  Other camps and lodges sprung up, including Gull Lake Lodge, Fern Creek Lodge, Camp Culver, and Cherokee Lodge. Due to a larger volume of travel on Highway 395 a land lease permit was issued to the Carrington family so that they could create a service station with a repair shop and lunch room at the June Lake Junction. They called it "Crater Garage and Lunch Room".  With the expansion of the community and its new permanent residents the necessity for a Post Office and school arose. The first United States Post Office in June Lake was established on October 1, 1927 and the first school in 1933. The school was run out of Fern Creek Lodge and the first teacher Mrs. Romana Power earned $1500.00 for a year.
  During this period, automobile touring had become quite fashionable, and with the completion of the Tioga Pass Road, June Lake became a popular destination and way point for those traveling between Yosemite and Southern California.  Notably, many Los Angeles area dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities made their way here.  Film star Wallace Beery built a cabin on a small island in Silver Lake.  Beery was also an aviator and known to land his plane on the meadow area adjacent to the lake.  Names such as  Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Grable, Sally Rand and others graced the guest register at the June Lake Lodge.  Subsequently, film director Frank Capra and cartoonist Walter Lantz also had cabins at Silver Lake, and their families continue to visit.
  
caption: Horsetail Falls above Rush Creek Powerhouse
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